Night World : Huntress Chapter 11

Hey, Morgead the percentage was shouting purge as the admission went slamming and crashing open, stickingevery hardly a(prenominal) inches because it was old and warped and didnt fit the frame everymore.Jez had jerked around at the startle noise. The connection between her and Morgead was disrupted,although she could feel faint echoes of the silver thread, desire a guitar string vibrating afterward it was strummed.Hey, Morgead-Hey, you still asleep-? Several express joy, raucous peck were displace into the room. solely the yellingstopped abruptly as they caught sight of Jez. there was a gasp, and wherefore silence.Jez stood up to face them. She couldnt afford to feel p any anymore every muscle was lightly tensed,every sense horrifyShe knew the danger she was in.Just deal Morgead, they were the flotsam and jetsam of the San Francisco lanes. The orphans, the wizardswho lived with indifferent relatives, the ones cryptograph in the Night World re each(prenominal)y cut e. The forgottenones.Her gang.They were out of crop and bushel to rumble.Jez had always mentation, from the day she and Morgead began picking these chaffs up, that the NightWorld was make a mis maintain in treating them like garbage. They might be green they might not gravelfamilies, save they had power. Every one of them had the competency to be a formid commensurate opponent.And reform now they were looking at her like a group of wolves looking at dinner. If they all dogged to gofor her at once, she would be in trouble. Somebody would end up croakting killed.She faced them squarely, outwardly calm, as a quiet congresswoman finally broke the silence.Its unfeignedly you, Jez.And and so an some other region, from beside Jez. Yeah, she came brook, Morgead tell carelessly. She fall inthe gang again.Jez shot him the briefest of sideways glances. She hadnt evaluate him to admirer. He re glum the lookwith an illegible expression.. . . she came rachis? whatsoeverbo dy say blankly. Jez felt a twinge of amused beneficence. Thats right, she said, keeping her face grave. I had to go awayfor a while, and I cant tell you where, butnow Im bet onrest. I in force(p) fought my way back in-and I beat Morgead for the leadership. She figured shemight as well bewilder it all all over with at once. She had no melodic theme how they were tone ending to contradict to the idea of heras leader. in that location was another long mommaent of silence, and whence a whoop. A sound that resembled a war cry. At the same instant there was a violent rush toward Jez-four mess all throwing themselves at her. For aheartbeat she stood frozen, ready to fend sullen a four-fold attack.Then arms wrapped around her waist.Jez I missed you soulfulness slapped her on the back almost hard enough to knock her beat. You no-good girl You beat himagain?People were trying to hug her and laggard her and pat her all at once. Jez had to struggle not to show shewas overwhel med. She hadnt expected this of them.Its good to see you guys again, she said. Her voice was very slightly unsteady. And it was the truth. precede mandril said, You scared us when you disappeared, you hunch. Raven was the tall, willowy onewith the marble-pale skin. Her black sensory pig was short in back and long in front, falling over one pump andobscuring it. The other eye, midnight blue, gleamed at Jez.Jez allowed herself to gleam back, just a bit. She had always liked Raven, who was the most mature ofthe group. Sorry, girl.I wasnt scared. That was Thistle, still squeeze Jezs waist. Thistle Galena was the delicate one who hadstopped her aging when she reached ten. She was as old as the others, but tiny and almost w viiiless.She had feathery nordic haircloth, amethyst eyes, and minuscular glistening white teeth. Her specialty was playing thelost child and then attacking any human races who tried to help her.Youre never scared, Jez told her, power play back.She immorals she knew you were all right, wherever you were. I did, too, push up Holt said. Pierce wasthe slender, rimy boy, the one with the aristocratic face and the artists pass. He had dark blond hair and thick-skulled-set eyes and he seemed to carry his own windchill factor with him. But just now he was looking atJez with cool approval.Im pleased virtuallybody thought so, Jez said, with a glance at Morgead, who just looked condescending.Yeah, well, some people were passing game crazy. They thought you were dead, Valerian Stillman put in, geting Jezs look. Val was the big, heroic one, with deep russet hair, gray-flecked eyes, and the buildof a linebacker. He was usually either laughing or yelling with impatience. Morgead had us scouring thestreets for you from Daly City to the Golden entre Bridge-Because I was hoping a few of you would fall off, Morgead said without emotion. But I had no suchluck. Now shut up, Val. We dont present time for all this class-reunion stuff. Weve got some thing all-important(a) to do.Thistles face lit up as she stepped back from Jez. You mean a hunt?He bureau the disturbed Power, Raven said. Her one visible eye was fixed on Jez. Hes told you already,hasnt he?I didnt want to tell her, Morgead said. She already knew. She came back because Hunter Red-fernwants to make a crapper with us. The Wild Power for a place with him after the millennium.He got a reaction-the one Jez knew he expected. Thistle squeaked with plea true, Raven laughedhuskily, Pierce gave one of his cold smiles, and Val roared.He knows weve got the real thing He doesnt wanna mess with us he shouted.Thats right, Val Im sure hes quaking in his boots, Morgead said. He glanced at Jez and rolled hiseyes.Jez couldnt help but grin. This really was like old times she and Morgead trading secret looks astir(predicate)Val. There was a strange warmth sweeping through her-not the scary quiver heat shed experienced withMorgead alone, but something simpler. A feeling of being w ith people who liked her and knew her. Afeeling of belonging.She never felt that at her human school. Shed seen things that would drive her human classmates insaneeven to imagine. None of them had any idea of what the real world was like-or what Jez was like, forthat matter.But now she was surrounded by people who understood her. And it felt so good that it was alarming.She hadnt expected this, that she would slip back into the gang like a hand in a glove. Or that somethinginside her would look around and sigh and say, Were rest home.Because I am not home, she told herself sternly. These are not my people. They dont really know me,either.But they dont have to, the little sigh returned. You dont ever need to tell them youre human. Theres no debate for them to find out.Jez shoved the thought away, scrunched down hard on the sighing use of her mind. And hoped it would preventive scrunched. She tried to focus on what the others were saying.Thistle was talking to Morgead, showing all h er downcast teeth as she smiled. So if youve got the termssettled, does that mean we get to do it now? We get to pick the little girl up? at present? Yeah, I guess we could. Morgead looked at Jez. We know her name and everything. ItsIona Skelton, and shes living just a equalise buildings down from where the fire was. Thistle do relay linkswith her earlier this week.Jez was startled, although she kept her expression relaxed. She hadnt expected things to move this fast.But it might all consort out for the best, she realized, her mind turning over possibilities quickly. If she couldsnatch the kid and betroth her back to Hugh, this whole masquerade could be over by tomorrow. She might even live through it.Dont get too excited, she warned Thistle, combing some bits of grass out of the smaller girls silk-flosshair. Hunter wants the Wild Power unrecorded and unharmed. Hes got plans for her.Plus, in advance we take her, weve got to judge her, Morgead said.Jez controlled an urge to swallow, went on combing Thistles hair with her fingers. What do you mean,test her?Td think that would be obvious. We cant take the chance of move Hunter a dud. We have to makesure she is the Wild Power.Jez elevated an eyebrow. I thought you were sure, she said, but of course she knew Morgead was right.She herself would have insisted Hugh find a way to test the little girl before doing anything else with her.The problem was that Morgeads examination was likely to be unpleasant.Im sure, but I still want to test her Morgead snapped. Do you have a problem with that?Only if its dangerous. For us, I mean. subsequently all, shes got some kind of power beyond imagining, right?And shes in primary school. I hardly think shes gonna be able to take on six vampires.The others were looking back and forth between Morgead and Jez like fans at a tennis match.Its just as if she never left-hand(a), Raven said dryly, and Val bellowed laughter while Thistle giggled.They always sound so-married, Pierce observed, with just a tinge of spite to his cold voice.Jez glared at them, aware that Morgead was doing the same. I wouldnt espouse him if every other guy onearth was dead, she informed Pierce.If it were a choice between her and a human, Id pick the human, Morgead put in nastily.Everyone laughed at that. Even Jez.The sun glittered on the water at the Marina. On Jezs left was a wide strip of green grass, where peoplewere flying wide and colorful kites, complicated ones with dozens of rainbow tails. On the sidewalkpeople were Rollerblading and continue and walking dogs. Everybody was wearing summer clothingeverybody was happy.It was different on the other side of the street.Everything changed over there. A line of pinky-brown concrete stood like a wall to mark the difference.There was a luxuriously school and then rows of a living accommodations project, all the buildings identi cry (out)y square, flat, andugly. And on the next street beyond them, there was nobody walking at all.Jez let Morgead take the lead on his motorcycle as he headed for those buildings. She always found thisplace depressing. He pulled into a narrow alley beside a inventory with a dilapidated sign proclaiming Shellfish De Lish. Valroared in after him, then Jez, then Raven with Thistle riding pillion cigaret her, and finally Pierce. They allturned off their motors.Thats where she lives now across the street, Morgead said. She and her mom are preventativeing with heraunt. Nobody plays in the playground its toodangerous. But Thistle might be able to get her to come down the stairs.Of course I can, Thistle said calmly. She showed her pointed teeth in a grin.Then we can fascinate her and be gone before her mom even notices, Morgead said. We can take herback to my place and do the test where its private.Jez breathed once to calm the knot in her stomach. sorrow grab her, she said. At least that way she mightbe able to whisper something comforting to the kid. Thistle, you try to g et her right out to the sidewalk.Everybody else, stay behind me-if she sees a bunch of motorcycles, shell probably freak. But be readyto gun it when I pull out and grab her. The noise should help cover up any screams. Raven, you pick upThistle as before long as I get the kid, and we all go straight back to Morgeads.Everyone was nodding, looking pleased with the plan-except Morgead.I think we should knock her out when we grab her. That way there wont be any screams. Not tomention any blue fire when she figures out shes being kidnapped-I already said how were going to do it, Jez cut in flatly. I dont want her knocked out, and I dontthink shell be able to hurt us. Now, everybody get ready. Off you go, Thistle.As Thistle skipped across the street, Morgead let out a sharp breath. His jaw was tight.You never could take advice, Jez.And you never could take orders. She could see him starting to sizzle, but that out of the corner of hereye. Most of her attention was focused on the housing building.It was such a desolate place. No graffiti-but no grass, either. A couple of dispirited trees in front. Andthat playground with a blue metal semivowel and a few motorcycles-on-springs to ride all looking new anduntouched. speak up growing up in a place like this, she said.Pierce laughed oddly. You sound as if you feel sorry for her.Jez glanced back. There was no sympathy in his deep-set dark eyes-and none in Ravens midnight blueor Vals hazel ones, either. Funny, she didnt consider them being that heartless-but of course she hadntbeen sensitive to the issue back in the old days. She would never have stopped to wonder or so whatthey felt for human children.Its because its a kid, Morgead said brusquely. Its hard on any kid growing up in a place like this.Jez glanced at him, surprised. She saying in his emerald green eyes what shed missed in the others a kind of bleak pity. Then he shrugged, and the expression was gone.partially to change the subject, and partly because she was curious, she said, Morgead? Do you know the omen with the line somewhat the imposture Maidens slew?What, this one? He quotedFour to stand between the light and the shadow.Four of blue fire, power in their blood. Born in the year of the blind Maidens vision Four less one and dimness triumphs.Yeah. What do you think born in the year of the blind Maidens vision instrument?He looked impatient. Well, the Maiden has to be Aradia, right?Whos that? Val interrupted, his linebacker body shiver with disport.Morgead gave Jez one of his humoring-Val looks. The Maiden of the Witches, he said. You know,the blind girl? The Maiden part of the Maiden, Mother, and Crone group that rules all the witches? Shesonly one of the most important people in the Night World-Oh, yeah. I remember. Val settled back.I agree, Jez said. The blind Maiden has to be Aradia. But what does the year of her vision mean?How old is this kid were snatching?About eight, I think.Did Aradia have some special vision eight years ago?Morgead was staring across the street, now, his eyebrows together. How should I know? Shes beenhaving visions since she went blind, right? Which means, like, seventeen years worth of em. Whossupposed to tell which one the poem means?What you mean is that you havent even tried to figure it out, Jez said acidly.He threw her an immorality glance. Youre so smart you do it.Jez said nothing, but she made up her mind to do just that. For some reason, the poem both(prenominal)ered her.Aradia was cardinal now, and had been having visions since she lost her sight at the age of one. Someparticular vision must have been special. Otherwise, why would it be included in the prophecy?It had to be important. And part of Jezs mind was worried well-nigh it.Just then she saw movement across the street. A brown metal door was opening and two small figureswere coming out.One with feathery blond hair, the other with tiny dark braids. They were hand in hand.Something twisted inside Jez. Just s tay calm, stay calm, she told herself. Its no good to think about grabbing her and making a run forthe East Bay. Theyll just follow you drag you down. Stay cool and youll be able to get the kid bare(a)later.Yeah, after Morgead does his little test.But she stayed cool and didnt move, breathing slowly and every bit as Thistle led the other girl down thestairs. When they reached the sidewalk, Jez pressed the starter motor button.She didnt say Now She didnt need to. She just peeled out, knowing the others would follow like aflock of well-trained ducklings. She heardtheir engines roar to life, sensed them behind her in tight formation, and she headed straight for thesidewalk.The Wild Power kid wasnt dumb. When she saw Jezs motorcycle coming at her, she tried to run. Hermistake was that she tried to keep Thistle, too. She tried to pull the little blond girl with her, but Thistlewas dead strong, grabbing the chain-link fence with a small hand like stigma, holding them both inplace.J ez swooped in and caught her target neatly around the waist. She swooped the child onto the burthenfacing her, felt the small body thud against her, felt hands clutch at her automatically for balance.Then she whipped past a pose car, twisted the throttle to get a surge of speed, and flew out of there. base her, she knew Raven was snagging Thistle and the others were all following. There wasnt ascream or even a sound from the housing project.They were well-fixed down Taylor Street. They were passing the high school. They were making it awayclean.Hang on to me or youll fall off and get hurt Jez yelled to the child in front of her, making a turn so fastthat her knee almost scraped the ground. She wanted to stay far enough ahead of the others that shecould talk.Take me back home The kid yelled it, but not hysterically. She hadnt shrieked even once. Jez lookeddown at her.And found herself staring into deep, velvety brown eyes. Solemn eyes. They looked cautionary andunhappy-but not af raid.Jez was startled.Shed expected crying, terror, anger. But she had the feeling that this kid wouldnt even be yelling if ithadnt been the only way to be heard.Maybe I should have been more worried about what shell do to us. Maybe she can call blue fire downto kill people. Otherwise, how can she be so composed when shes just been kidnapped?But those brown eyes-they werent the eyes of soul about to attack. They were-Jez didnt know what they were. But they wrenched her heart.Look-Iona, right? Thats your name?The kid nodded.Look, Iona, I know this seems weird and scary- having somebody just grab you off the street. And Icant apologize everything now. But I cry you, youre not going to get hurt. Nothings going to hurtyou-okay?I want to go home.Oh, kid, so do I, Jez thought suddenly. She had to blink hard. Tm going to take you home-or at least someplace safe, she added, as honesty unexpectedly kicked in. There was something about the kid thatmade her not want to lie. But first weve g ot to go to a friend of mines house. But, look, no matter howstrange all this seems, I want you to remember something. I wont let you get hurt. Okay? Can youbelieve that?My mom is going to be scared.Jez took a deep breath and headed onto the freeway. I promise I wont let you get hurt, she said again.And that was all she could say.She felt like a centaur, some creature that was half person and half steel horse, carrying off a human kidat sixty miles an hour. It was redundant to try to make conversation on the freeway, and Iona didnt speakagain until they were roaring up to Morgeads building.Then she said simply, I dont want to go in there.Its not a bad place, Jez said, braking front and back. Were going up on the roof. Theres a littlegarden there.A tiny flicker of interest showed in the solemn brown eyes. Four other bikes pulled in beside Jez.Yeeehaw We got her Val yelled, drag off his helmet.Yeah, and wed better take her upstairs before somebody sees us, Raven said, tossing her da rk hair soit fell over one eye again.Thistle was climbing off the back of Ravens motorcycle. Jez felt the small body in front of her stiffen.Thistle looked at Iona and smiled her sharp-toothed smile.Iona just looked back. She didnt say a word, but after a minute Thistle flushed and turned away.So now were going to test her, right? Its time to test her, isnt it, Morgead?Jez had never heard Thistles voice so shrill-sodisturbed. She glanced down at the child in front of her, but Morgead was speaking.Yeah, its time to test her, he said, sounding unexpectedly tired for somebody whod just pulled off such a triumph. Whod just caught a Wild Power that was going to make his career. Lets get it overwith.